Chapter 23: Nasty Business
Soleia choked and shook her head. The progress Ludwin was referring to was of pregnancy!
This old man, and the entire town, had been hoping for Orion's return in the last few years. Not because they wanted a famous hero in their midst, but because they wanted — needed — him to produce an heir so that the rest of his shameless relatives would finally loosen their grip on the estate.
Their haughty attitudes had not endeared themselves to the townspeople in the least. When Soleia first moved in, she was also treated coldly by the townspeople. They had assumed the worst of her. However, she had managed to change their impression of her in the past two years when they realized she was the one coughing up the coins.
"Oh, well. It's only been a while," Ludwin said encouragingly. "The both of you are young. I am sure a child will come with time."
Well, there was a child on the way, but it was in Elowyn's belly, so much so that her husband couldn't pry his body away from her. Soleia's lips curled derisively.
"There's progress, but not with me. He has another woman he wishes to make his wife," Soleia confessed, even though the news must have spread to the town already.
Ludwin's face grew horrified.
"My dear, I am sorry," he said, shaking his head. "Such wretched times we live in. Come in, I have some calming tea for you―"
"Thank you, but unfortunately I must decline. I am here because Sir Ralph Byrone requires your help."